Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Death Prompts Tributes from Israel and U.S. Leaders

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on July 11 at age 71 after a brief, sudden illness; a medical examiner’s preliminary findings point to an aortic dissection. Graham was long‑known for his staunch support of the U.S.–Israel alliance, a stance that earned him personal praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a "dear friend" and scheduled a White House visit to meet President Donald Trump and attend Graham’s memorial service in Washington, D.C., followed by another ceremony in South Carolina.

GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson recalled that Graham and her late husband Sheldon spoke about Israel daily for years, describing the senator’s frequent trips to their Las Vegas Sands property and his cross‑partisan popularity. Adelson highlighted Graham’s role in joint U.S.–Israeli operations against Iran, such as Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, underscoring his influence on security cooperation.

The tributes emphasize Graham’s impact on bilateral relations and his legacy as a defender of what he viewed as intertwined American and Israeli security interests.